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About this quote

What does it mean?
You can only awaken someone who is truly asleep; if they merely pretend, any effort is futile.
In plain terms
Effort only works on those genuinely ready to change.
What can you take from it?
Focus energy on receptive individuals.

Where it applies

  • education
  • counseling

Putting it to work

  • identify true readiness
  • avoid wasted effort

Questions to consider

  • How can we tell if someone is truly ready?
  • When is it worth persisting despite resistance?

Another view

Pretending sleep can be a protective strategy, not mere laziness.

More from Mahatma Gandhi

  1. If all had the same belief about all matters of religion, there would be only one religion in the world.

    Permalink to quote #120
  2. Those who want to lead the people to satyagraha ought to be able to keep the people within the limited non-violence expected of them.

    Permalink to quote #122
  3. Salvation of people depend upon themselves, upon their capacity for suffering and sacrifice.

    Permalink to quote #119

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